Marcus Swanson, a junior at Stillman College, has been selected to receive a $2,400 UPS Scholarship provided through the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAICU). He is the son of Velencia Swanson of Birmingham, Ala. and a 2011 graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Ala.
Swanson, who is enrolled in Stillman’s Harte Honors College, is a history major in the pre-law program. He holds numerous leadership positions on campus and currently serves as Executive Vice President for the Student Government Association, President of the Harte Honors College, President of the Stillman United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Pre-Alumni Council, and Vice President of the Omega Alpha Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International. He is a fitness buff who enjoys poetry and is an active member of the Christian Student Association.
“Marcus was selected for this scholarship because of who he is as a student and a human being. He is the embodiment of “The Stillman Man.” He excels academically, is actively involved in countless student organizations, goes out of his way to help others, and exemplifies the qualities of a good leader,” said Cristi Hitt, Director of Scholarship Programs at Stillman.
AAICU is a statewide association for private colleges and universities that is affiliated with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). At the national level, CIC teams up with the UPS Foundation to distribute funding of the UPS Scholarship. This year, CIC awarded nearly $1.5 million in scholarships from its UPS Educational Endowment Fund to private institutions of higher learning across the nation, including a grant of $33,600 to the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of the students’ academic achievement and financial need.
“Through this national scholarship program, CIC and UPS are delighted to make it possible for 609 deserving young men and women to attend the private college or university of their choice,” said Richard Ekman, president of CIC. “By directly assisting students with significant financial need, CIC and UPS are helping a new generation of students achieve their dreams of a college education.”
“UPS is proud to continue that spirit of giving by partnering with CIC to support thousands of students working to become the leaders of tomorrow by obtaining an education from our nation’s independent colleges,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation.
“We are proud, too, that The UPS Foundation and UPS employees directed $97.5 million in philanthropy and in-kind services, including more than 1.8 million hours of volunteer service, to local communities around the world.”
